Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes reports sharp rise in company failures amid artisan growth

A study by Allianz Trade recorded 2,418 company failures in Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes during the second quarter of 2026, a 24 % increase over the same period in 2025 and far above the national rise of 5 %. The Rhône department alone accounted for 29 % of regional failures and saw a 29 % jump in the quarter. All major sectors were affected, with construction failures up 8 % regionally (versus a 2 % decline nationally) and now representing 22 % of regional bankruptcies. Nationwide, 18,004 failures were logged in Q2, the highest ever for a second quarter, and Allianz Trade warned that France could reach 70,000 failures in 2026.

At the same time, the artisan sector in the region is expanding. The ISM‑MAAF barometer shows a 22 % increase in artisan enterprises since 2019, reaching 200,000 firms and accounting for 28 % of all regional businesses. In the Drôme department, artisan firms grew by 22 % and now employ 17,300 workers. Across Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes, the sector provides 248,880 jobs, 10 % of private‑sector employment, and is seen as vital for maintaining services in rural areas.